Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 04-12-2024, 07:20   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 1
Lightbulb Aluminum Masts reused - not on a boat...

Has anyone here heard of people reusing aluminum masts to structurally support a canopy system for a home? It occurs to me that in 100-km winds the mast (to maintain it's strength) might want to be on a moving object, and in the case of a house, the object (hopefully) doesn't move.

I've been told that aluminum masts are wonderfully strong. I wonder, though, under circumstances where they are cemented into the ground and holding a sail that doesn't go anywhere, if they might be THAT strong.

Have any of you, in your travels seen such a thing as a outdoor canopy system being supported by aluminum masts?
What might be your initial thinking? thank you.
lindsayjmcd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2024, 13:08   #2
Moderator
 
Jim Cate's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: cruising SW Pacific
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 21,536
Re: Aluminum Masts reused - not on a boat...

Alloy yacht masts are indeed very strong... in compression. They rely upon the standing rigging to convert side loading into compression, and lacking that rigging they are woefully weak.

So, do you propose to have such rigging in your design? If not, I suspect that you will need some other form of support, likely heavy wall pipe sections.

Jim
__________________
Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, lying Port Cygnet Tasmania once again.
Jim Cate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2024, 03:49   #3
Senior Cruiser
 
GordMay's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 51,665
Images: 241
Re: Aluminum Masts reused - not on a boat...

Sailboat masts are not designed as structural columns; but given detailed specifications, a structural engineer could calculate it’s load bearing capacity.
A mast would require the addition of a base plate, and a [top] capital plate, to work as a column.
Note: A column is a structural element that transmits load from above, to a supporting structure below. The word ‘column’ is associated, in particular, with elements that have a central shaft that is round [not oval-like] in section.

Here’s one manufacturer’s [of prefabricated aluminum columns] test specification, for comparison:
https://mcmel.ca/wp-content/uploads/...test-sheet.pdf
Round 130 mm [5¼ in] diameter x 3,048mm [120 in] tall Aluminum Column
Maximal load test at break: 7913kg [17,445 lb]
Maximal load in projects [SF=2]: 3957 kg [8,723 lb]
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"



GordMay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2024, 03:57   #4
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Little Compton, RI
Boat: Cape George 31
Posts: 3,214
Re: Aluminum Masts reused - not on a boat...

I went the other way and turned an aluminum light pole into a mast.
Light poles and flag poles are freestanding sections, often aluminum, and usually round, sometimes tapered.
I'd want to know the weight of the canopies, dimensions, how the masts are stepped, etc before knowing that I'd be comfortable with it, but it's not a bad idea if you have a bunch of masts lying around.
__________________
Ben
zartmancruising.com
Benz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
aluminum, boat, mast

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
In mast furling masts versus classical masts. Discuss. AboutTime1 Monohull Sailboats 17 06-05-2022 17:21
Reused Cotter Pins... Sailor_Grant Construction, Maintenance & Refit 9 16-05-2020 18:50
Sherwin Williams Industrial Aluminum Paint for Boat Masts cburger Construction, Maintenance & Refit 1 31-07-2011 06:42
Filling Holes in Aluminum Masts Christian Van H Construction, Maintenance & Refit 13 13-07-2009 04:33
Unstayed masts or stayed masts? Joli Deck hardware: Rigging, Sails & Hoisting 29 22-07-2008 03:56

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 23:56.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.